Inspired by . . . the just and the unjust

I know that many of my {blog} readers do not read fiction of any kind, let alone romantic fiction and you all have valid reasons for not doing so. However, there is good, Christian fiction (yes, even romantic fiction) out there that not only provides a good storyline but solid biblical lessons as well.

I was recently reminded of this as I was re-reading Lori Wick's Yellow Rose Trilogy. I can't believe it has been nearly twenty years since I read these stories for the first time! Yet despite the fact that these stories were written twenty years ago and are even based in the late 1800's, the spiritual questions and struggles the characters face are still relevant today.

Don't you just love that about God?

Whether we're sweeping the cold, stone floors of a Scottish castle in 1501, walking through the dust of a hot Texas afternoon to use the privy out back in 1882, or typing out a blog post on our laptop computer in 2017, God's word is relevant and true.

He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Not only that, but His word is living and active. Meaning it is capable of constantly teaching us new things. I am so far away from knowing everything there is to know about God. Every day, as I meet with Him, He teaches me new things about Himself and new things about myself! Sometimes hard, yet always wondrous, lessons!

Case in point; one of Lori Wick's characters, Dakota, is a new Christian whose parents are not yet Christians. After a brief exchange with his parents, Dakota realizes how blessed their marriage is, which leads him to question whether God blesses non-Christians as well as Christians.

We're not talking about worldly blessings here, like money or a "happy" life, etc. We're talking about true blessings from God. Like a good, loving marriage. Or Godly gifts, like wisdom, etc. Does God bestow His blessing on those who have not accepted His Son? [click to tweet]

Yes, He does. I'm sure you've seen the evidence of this throughout your life. Maybe you even experienced it before you became a Christian. Perhaps you're experiencing His blessings now and you're not a Christian.

Matthew 5:45 tells us:  For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:45)

I have a confession to make; I've been reading this scripture wrong and out of context the entire time! I've been focused on myself and the rain in my life rather than on a God Who loves so completely and so fully that He blesses and dies for His enemies.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1Pe 3:18)

I've been viewing myself as just (which I am only because of Jesus) rather than remembering my evil and unjust state before I accepted Jesus as my Savior.

The fact that He would use a fictional character in a Christian romance novel to enlighten me to the truth of His word is astounding to me.

But then I am reminded that Jesus is the Master Storyteller. [click to tweet] He used parables to convey His message when He walked this earth and He is still using stories, your story and my story, to spread His gospel today. Whether the stories we write about are imagined or experienced matters little.

What matters is that we use our stories to praise and glorify Him. [click to tweet]

Are you a storyteller?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Inspired by . . .  foolishness

Much of what I write about here may seem like foolishness to you.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Pro 14:12)

This man, Jesus, and what He did may seem foolish to you.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." (1Co 1:18-19)

I understand. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten you, these things will make little sense.

The things of God must be spiritually discerned. However, God is easily found by anyone who seeks Him.

And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for "'In Him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed His offspring.' (Act 17:26-28)

You have a choice when it comes to Jesus. To accept or deny Him. This choice can be put off, but it cannot be escaped. In the end, a choice you will make.

Your disbelief does not offend me. It grieves me. I pray that your heart will soften. That you will seek the Truth.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Joh 8:31-32)

So what is the truth?

all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom 3:23)

Our sin separates us from a Holy and Just God.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 6:23)

But GOD . . .

but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8)

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, (1Pe 3:18)

The debt of sin must be paid.  Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (Heb 9:22)

For our sake He made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Co 5:21)

There is no magic formula to faith in Christ. You don't have to say special words or be forgiven by a priest. Jesus is our High Priest. Go to Him. Confess to Him your sin. Repent (turn away from your sin) and believe in Him.

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Rom 10:9-10)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1Jn 1:9-10)

Remember,

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

If you have taken theses steps of belief today, I greatly rejoice with you! You are a new creation!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2Co 5:17)

And just as a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis needs time to strengthen his wings before he can fly, you will need a time of strengthening, too. I urge you to connect with other believers in a Bible-teaching church. Let someone (I'd be honored if it were me) know about the decision you've made. I've listed some ministries at the end of this post that can give you guidance.

But most important of all - read His word! Get to know Your Savior! 

For He Is Risen!

Celebrate this truth today!

Amen.
Blessings on your Easter,

Resources:

Online Bible Reading: https://www.youversion.com/

Truth for Life Ministry of Alister Begg: https://www.truthforlife.org/

How to Know Jesus: https://peacewithgod.net/

Online Bible Resource: https://www.biblegateway.com/

Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . living the Gospel

Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth is a friend of mine. At least I'd like to think that we would be friends if we ever meet in real life. As the driving force behind the True Woman Movement and Revive Our Hearts ministry Nancy has touched thousands of lives.

I've been enriched by her bible studies over the years, and convicted and encouraged by the message in her books. I was delighted when she found love in the autumn of her life. God has a way of equipping us for our ministry, amen? [click to tweet]

I was watching the trailer for her newly released book, Adorned, just the other day. It's a beautiful video, showing numerous scenes from her wedding day. A video not unlike the one my daughter-in-law had made for her own wedding last fall.

The voice-over to the video promotes Nancy's new book, which is based on Titus 2; the scripture focuses on older women mentoring younger women. This is the true essence of Nancy's heart.

Since I was watching the video on FB, when I finished watching I moved my cursor to react to the post and noticed that among the thousands who had reacted with like or love, even wow, one person had reacted with the angry face. 

Disappointed but not surprised, I know that Nancy's message of biblical based womanhood is not embraced by everyone. But I was curious as to what the viewer could have found in the video and message that made them angry. So I scanned the comments to see if they had commented as well.

Alas, my curiosity was not to be satisfied. Perhaps they clicked on the angry face in error? That is a hopeful possibility. However, during my scan of the comments I did find one among the many good wishes and excitement about the book that gave me pause:

"You would think she's the only person that ever had a Godly wedding."

There was one reply to this comment and it mirrored my own thoughts: "What gave you that impression?" 

I sensed that this person's question was sincere so I went back a couple of days later to see if any further discussion had occurred, however, as is typical of my experience with FB, I was unable to find the post.

The negative comment and the cloud of sadness enveloping it has stayed with me. The fact that I and thousands of others can watch Nancy's wedding video and feel nothing but joy for her newfound happiness while this lady's response clearly comes from a place of hurt is a stark reminder that we don't all view life through the same lens. We can't know what this woman has gone through, or is going through that would warrant such a comment.

This post was about as far as you can get from the political arena. Yet there it was, an angry, defensive, unwarranted attack. Fairly mild, but hurtful none-the-less.

Friends, I know many of you are weary of the battle. Believe me, I'm weary too. 

Some of you feel called to debate the political [and other] hot topic issues of our day. Called to speak out against every evil you see happening in our world. If that's your calling, I salute you. And I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you the power to speak His truth with grace in love.

But if you don't feel this way - - that's okay, too. The apostle Paul didn't stand up and preach a sermon about slavery or the other evils being perpetrated in his day. 

Instead, Paul preached the Gospel. He addressed the evil in the world by pointing people to the only Solution. To the only Source of redemption and change.

And that is what we are called to do.

I [Paul] charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2Ti 4:1-2)

And why is it so important that we "be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [our] ministry."? (2Ti 4:5)

[Because] the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2Ti 4:3-4)

That time may be here friends, but we must continue to preach the Gospel. But more than that - - we must live it.

"The gospel will not be heard and received by our culture, by our generation, by your children, by your neighbors, by the people in your workplace; the gospel will not be received if it cannot be seen in the lives of those of us who profess to believe it." ~Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth

It's true that not everyone will be drawn to the Light of Christ in our lives. Not everyone will embrace the love we offer. In fact, openly living a life for Christ may open us up to more ridicule, contempt, and even persecution.

But there are those in darkness who ARE searching for the Light. There are those who WILL respond. As followers, we must try to be like-minded with Christ.

And if He is not willing that any should perish, then we shouldn't be either. [click to tweet]

Go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.* [click to tweet]

Shalom,

*attributed to St. Francis of Assisi

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 42:52

Make yourself an ark of gopher wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits, its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above, and set the door of the ark in its side. Make it with lower, second, and third decks. (Gen 6:14-16)

For a man like Noah, living in a world that had yet to see a drop of rain, had no power tools, no electricity, this directive must have seemed insurmountable!

Far from being a simple children's story, the account of the building of the ark and the great flood is a breathtaking example of one man's faith and a glimpse into God's plan of redemption for all mankind.

And now, thanks to the Answers in Genesis project, you don't have to rely on your imagination any longer. A slice of pasture in Williamstown, Kentucky is now home to a life-size replica of Noah's Ark. 

This marvel of engineering is seven stories tall and is a football field and a half long. It is the largest timber-frame structure in the world, full of world-class exhibits designed to answer your questions about the biblical account of Noah’s Ark.

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. (Heb 11:7)

There is so much more to this structure than pegs and beams.

Once inside you experience the Greatest Story every told.

I was really not prepared for the quality and sheer volume of information presented. The why and how of the Ark are presented in detail.

Water, waste, you name it - they cover it. They explain which animals are included and why.

Signs like this one answer common questions:

Noah and his family are so palpable I kept waiting for them to turn and look at me, or say something. Actually, Noah did just exactly that!

Every aspect of life in the Ark was showcased.

Every detail tells it's own story.

But this encounter is about much more than a big boat and a flood. The exhibits inside take you through the history of the earth. They show you, from the fossil record, how the earth was formed and how she grew into the world we know today. These exhibits answer your questions and dispell your doubts.

And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded. Then the LORD shut the door behind Noah. (Gen 7:16)

Once God shut the door to the Ark there was no going back. What man can open a door God has shut?

Noah and his family probably didn't fully understand what was about to happen, even though they had been warned. They were completely dependent upon God to see them through.

Although God has given us His promise to never again send a flood to destroy the earth (Gen 9:11), there is a day of judgment coming. We have been warned, just as the people in Noah's day were warned.

For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Mat 24:38-39)

All the exhibits, Noah's family, the animals, the fossil record, all are fascinating and fun. But the powerful takeaway of the Ark Encounter is the Gospel - the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Because we know that the flood did not restore righteousness and goodness to our world. Only One born of God, perfect and sinless in every way could do that - and He did.

 "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (Joh 3:16-18)

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (1Jn 1:8) There is a penalty (debt) for sin. That penalty (debt) is death. 

This, my friends, is the Good News: Jesus paid our debt. He bore the penalty of our sin, so that we might have life, life eternal.

The Ark Encounter is definitely worth the price of the ticket and the trip to northern Kentucky. 

@toddcravens

What Jesus offers is free

and you can receive it right where you are, right now.

All you have to do is ask.

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty, Through My Lens,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Inspired by . . . my voice

We have a lot to grieve over in this country.

We have a lot to feel angry and concerned about . . .


Bad cops

Blacks killing blacks - in countless numbers, every day 

Protests that result only in innocent lives lost and businesses plundered

The rush to judgement and erroneous reporting by the major media outlets

Injustices like the Kate Steinle murder

The recent terrorist acts in San Bernadino and Orlando

A government that is no longer for the people and by the people

. . . to name a few.

We have reason to despair.

Keep in mind that where you see disunity, chaos, and hate the enemy is at work. And those who are helping to perpetrate these things are working for him.

We have reason to despair.

Amid the clamor of social media voices mine is barely a whisper. As a white, Christian, conservative, lower-middle-class female my voice has been all but silenced in this country. 

No one wants to hear from the white, middle-American housewife, who loves her country and her God. Who tries to love her neighbor and her enemies. How could I possibly understand the issues? Or have something helpful to bring to the table? I'm expected to clam-up and go back to my privileged, blessed life.

It's tempting, let me tell you. It's much easier not to speak out. It's a lot easier to bury my nose in a book and walk with tunnel vision through my privileged, blessed life. It's certainly much easier to sit on my porch and lose myself in the wonder of God's creation than it is to sit in sackcloth and ashes in front of my computer screen for 30 minutes and pray, and lament, and pray and repent, and pray and grieve, and cry out to God with hundreds of others who ache for unity, peace, and understanding.

We have reason to hope.

God hears the prayers of His people. Don't let the prevailing evil in this world make you doubt this Truth.

God hears and God ACTS.

And this little white girl will continue to share the wonders of His creation. She will continue to share the Gospel Truth.

Because JESUS is our ONLY hope for change in this world.

Shalom,

A note to my readers:
If you visit here often you know that I don't normally post about controversial issues. Instead, I've chosen to combat the evil in this world by simply sharing and speaking God's Truth in this space, rather than addressing specific injustices. 

I prayed long and hard about this post and even after writing it I didn't hit publish right away. But I couldn't let it go, as much as I wanted to. I decided that candidly sharing my feelings about my "voice" was important. My intent is not to make any of this about me, but rather to share one perspective, one voice in a sea of voices. I can't be the only one who feels this way. Despite how we may feel the truth is, every voice matters. Thank you for your grace.

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Let Us Walk Worthy,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends

Inspired by . . . the Gospel of Grace

I've just begun to read Jerry Bridges' The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness

I'm only in the first chapter, but I'm struck by this notion that we have "regulated the gospel to the unbeliever." Rather than living daily with the conscious reminder that we are the beneficiaries of God's grace through Jesus Christ.

When I ponder this, I realize that many of us have done just what Bridges claims. The tendency, once saved, is to forget that we are still sinners. Sinners saved by grace, yes, but still sinners nonetheless. 

We, I, am not only saved by His grace, but I need to live by His grace. Daily.

To deny this is to deny Him.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jn 1:8-9)

Bridges reminds us:

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.

There is much more to this chapter, but I'm stopping here to consider how we can get a daily dose of the gospel. You've probably already figured it out.

By the daily reading of His word.

These were my scripture readings from yesterday morning:

"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out My sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd of My sheep, and I Myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. (Eze 34:11-16)

You don't need a bible commentary to understand this passage. The great love God has for us. The seeking and rescuing of the lost, The strengthening and healing of the weak. The purging of sin (fat).

...and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. (Rom 5:5-10)

The gospel shines pretty clearly in that passage. 'Nuff said.

So He told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luk 15:3-7)

The passage in Luke ties them nicely together don't you think? This is one of the thoughts I wrote in my journal:

God's proof of His love for us is dying for us, when we were yet His enemy. We are not just saved - it's more than that. There is a reconciling - a drawing into His bosom. We are drawn to the love of the One Who created us. We are home. And He does this for each one of us, regardless of the other. He does this for me.

Being reminded of my need for grace. Being reminded that my need has already been met. Fully and personally. In Christ.

Do you see yourself as a sinner?

Against what or who do you measure your goodness?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth, Let Us Walk Worthy,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends